MERGE LCD watch, a clever design with custom colours

Heather & Sam say: The MERGE concept is based on separating the horizontal segments of digits from the vertical segments. The horizontal digit segments are always present in the display background while the vertical ones are LCD segments strategically placed in the transparent foreground.

The horizontal segments engraved in each interchangeable “flipchip” can cover any digit 0-9 in a four digit time display. This feature is necessary because this engraved layout doesn’t change – only the vertical LCD segments that complete the digits have to change. To read the display, one must simply merge the segments from the clear LCD foreground layer with those engraved in the background. From a frontal view, this is an easy task, but when viewed from other angles, the display can appear quite cryptic. There is also an animation option for those who really want to confuse their friends.

One very desirable feature of this watch is customization on the fly. The “flipchips” that create the display background can be removed, flipped, or replaced. Once the decision for a watch has been made (black/white/metallic), the door is open to have fun with the different background colors and materials. Anything is possible, even translucent or transparent “flipchips”, as long as the engraved segments can be seen. You could even go out to a club with a glow-in-the-dark flipchip!

The case of the watch has a trapezoid cross section with the center part hollow and the adjacent parts providing enough space for necessary technology.

This watch will appeal to anyone who likes puzzles or appreciates the ability to change the look of their watch on the fly. Bring on the mood swings!

Interesting, I like the time telling mechanism, so simple, easy but unique looking. Just sell a watch with different color cartridges, very clever, on customer side perspective. Of course 5* yes on this.

Nice idea, Heather and Sam! This design is an excellent concept to show how a puzzling effect can be used to tell time. Having the “flipchip” is great for people to customize their watch to the color they like it.

Thanks for leaving your comment, Matt! I’m glad to hear that the “puzzle” aspect of this design is appreciated! ;)
I really like the idea of changing the color/material of the face on a whim – to color coordinate with outfits and such.
In fact, it occurred to me that we can even have flipchips available in the colors of popular sports teams- they usually have one lighter color and one darker one…if the chip is mostly the lighter color, with the engravings in the darker color, the LCD segments will show up well for the time-reading, and you can celebrate your sports team on your watch!

Thank you everybody for the support! The transparency of the LCD display really serves a practical purpose and it’s so cool to see, the flipchip concept is accepted and the time telling works fine for you :D

I would also like to thank everyone who came by to give us your input/support! Working with Sam is always so cool…With his creativity and amazing skills with 3d graphics, our crazy mind-bending ideas are brought to life for all to see. :)
Hopefully some day, we’ll all be able to purchase flipchips from Tokyoflash to match our moods!